Apparatus for the wet-treatment of fibers and the like



E. HOFFMANN Oct. 16, 1962 APPARATUS FOR THE WET-TREATMENT OF FIBERS AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 9, 1958 /N VENT 0R /f/ a r M7 3,058,332 APEARAEUS FR THE WET-TREATMENT F AND THE LIKE Eugen Hoffmann, Krefeld, Germany, assignor to Firma Farin-Werke AG., Hamburg, Germany Fied Sept. 1958, Ser. No. 759,875 i3 tiairns. (Cl. -li) The present invention relates to an apparatus for the wet-treatment of goods, particularly Afor the treatment of goods such as fibers, yarns and the like. The present invention has been found particularly applicable to the treatment of freshly spun synthetic fibers.

ln the forming and after-treatment of synthetic fibers, particularly viscose fibers, it has been found desirable to pass a great number of freshly formed fibers, parallel and closely adjacent but spaced from each other, through a spinning bath or a treatment liquid. However, it was found that when the forward speed of the fibers was increased to the desirable high speed of, for instance, about 100 meters per minute or more, that the individual s-pun fibers did not move evenly exclusively in forward direction, but that lateral movement of the fibers occured while the same passed through the treatment bath. Such lateral movement or oscillation of the fibers causes very considerable difficulties and disadvantages, such as contact between adjacent fibers which might cause the same adhesively to adhere to each other, as well as irregularities and variations of the titer, the strength, extensibility, color acceptance and other qualities of the fiber. The uneven lateral movement of the fibers has been found to be caused by eddy formation in the treating liquid while the same is to some extent moved along by the fast moving fibers `and is then stopped from further forward movement by the terminal wall of the treating Vessel.

lt has therefore been proposed to provide ythe terminal portion of the treating vessel with a return conduit through which treating liquid moved towards the terminal portion by the fibers passing through the treating vessel, can fiow back to the inlet end of the treating vessel. However, it is not possible in this manner to counteract completely the eddy formation in the treating liquid.

Furthermore, it has -been proposed by applicant, to allow the treating liquid to tiow continuously through the treating bath, concurrently with the movement of the fibers through the same, `and preferably in such a manner that the speed of fiow of the treating liquid increases in the direction from the inlet end to the outlet end of the treating vessel. While it is possible to prevent substantial eddy formation in this manner, it became desirable to intensify the treating effect of the treating liquid on the fibers. Apparently, by the concurrent movement-although generally at different speeds-of the fibers and the treating liquid, the intensity of contact between the fibers 'and the treating liquid is reduced.

It is therefore an `object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages in the wet treatment of goods, particularly fibers and the like.

lt is another object of the present invention to improve the contact between the goods and the treatment liquid thus intensifying the effect of the treatment.

It is a lfurther object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for the wet treatment of freshly spun synthetic fibers and the like wherein -contact between individual fibers is avoided and the treatment is carried out in a uniform and effective manner.

3,@585332 Patented Oct. i6, 1962 It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for the wet treatment of a plurality of endless elongated goods in a highly economical and effective manner.

Other `objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a further reading of the description and of the appended claims.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention includes an apparatus for the treatment of goods, comprising in combination, a vessel adapted to contain a relatively shallow bath of treating liquid, the vessel having an inner bottom face, inlet means for admitting treating liquid into the vessel, outlet means for the treating liquid spaced from the inlet means permitting the liquid :to fiow in the bath in =a predetermined substantially horizontal direction, a plurality of projecting portions on the inner bottom face of the Vessel having faces extending at least partly in a direction transversal to the predetermined substantially horizontal direction so that Ithe liquid will be forced by the projections to vibra-te in substantially vertical direction normal to the predetermined lsubstantially horizontal `direction of the liquid flowing in the bath, and means for passing goods to be treated through che bath in the predetermined substantially horizontal direction, whereby the goods are subjected during such passage to the vibrating movement of the treating liquid.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus for the treatment of goods `such as freshly spun synthetic fibers and the like, comprises, in combination, -a vessel adapted to contain a relatively shallow bath of treating liquid, the vessel having an inner bottom face, inlet means for admitting treating liquid into the vessel, outlet means for the treating liquid spaced from the inlet means permitting the liquid to flow in the bath in a predetermined substantially horizontal direction, the inner bottom face of the vessel extending upwardly under an acute angle against the horizontal in the direction from the inlet means towards the outlet means, a plurality of groove-shaped substantially parallel portions on the inner bottom face of the vessel extending in a direction substantially normal to the predetermined substantially horizontal direction, having faces extending at least partly in a direction transversal to the predetermined substantially horizontal direction, the width and depth of successive groove-shaped portions progressively decreasing in the direction from the inlet means toward the outlet means so that the liquid while fiowing through the vessel will be forced by t-he projections to vibrate in `substantially vertical direction normal to the predetermined substantially horizontal direction of the liquid flowing in the bath, and means for passing a plurality of goods to 'be treated parallel to and spaced from each other through the lbath in the predetermined substantially horizontal direction concurrently with the flowing liquid, the 4means including two rotatable guide roller means located, respectively, in the vicinity of the inlet and outlet means and above the upper level of the bath of treating liquid, `and also including stationary guide means located at least partially below the upper level of the bath of treating liquid, whereby the goods are subjected during such passage to the substantially vertical vibrating movement of the treating liquid without being subjected to lateral movement capable of causing contact between adjacent ones of the parallel goods.

The present invention also contemplates in a wettreating process for elongated goods such as freshly spun synthetic fibers, yarns and the like, the steps of passing a plurality of such goods, arranged substantially parallel to and laterally spaced from each other simultaneously with a treating liquid and concurrently with the same through a treating vessel, the goods passing through the vessel in substantially horizontal direction and at substantially constant speed, while the Speed of flow of the liquid increases in the direction of flow thereof; and simultaneously subjecting the liquid to vertically directedy vibrational force so as to create in that flowing liquid vibrations in substantially vertical direction, substantially normal to the direction of movement of the goods, whereby intimate contact between the goods and the treating liquid during passage of the same through the vessel is achieved without subjecting the goods to lateral movement, thus preventing contact between adjacentr` ones of the laterally spaced parallel goods during passage of the same through the treating vessel.

The novel features which are considered as characteristie for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection With the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l illustrates in elevational cross-section a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and

FIG. 2. shows a plan view taken from above, of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawing, inlet means 1 are shown, including inlet conduit 4 and perforated plates or sieves 5. It is the purpose of the perforated plates 5 to introduce the liquid into the main portion of the apparatus as a quiet steady stream free of turbulence. The apparatus or treatment vessel has a bottom 2 formed with an inner face provided with a plurality of projections and indentations 6. The terms projections and indentations will serve to indicate that some portions of the inner face of bottom 2 extend yfurther upwardly than other portions of the saine. Thus, indentations are formed with reference to the uppermost portions of the inner face of bottom 2, and projections with respect to the lowermost portions thereof.

As stated further above, it is desirable to increase'the speed of flow of the liquid in the direction from inlet means 1 toward outlet means 3. This'is preferably accomplished by having bottom '2 and particularly the inner face thereof extending upwardly under a prefer- Y ably relatively small acute angle against vthe horizontal,

in the direction from inlet means 1 towards outlet means 3.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawing, the projections in the inner face of bottom 2 are formed by parallel grooves 6 which fnarrow and decrease in height in the direction from inlet means l toward outlet means 3.

Outlet means 3 include conduit 7 through which the spent treatment liquid passes preferably to a regenerating device (not shown). Grooves 6 are arranged parallel to each other and extend in a -direction transversal to the direction of flow of the treatment liquid and to the direction of movement of the fibers or the like which are to be treated.

A plurality of parallel fibers 8 or the like are introduced into the bath via rotatable roller 9, and are maintained below the surface of the bath by stationary guide rod 10. Thus, guide rod 10 serves to` keep the plurality of fibers or Vthe like during treatment of the same slightly below the upper level of the treating liquid flowing from inlet means 1 towards outlet means 3. The upper level of the bath of treating liquid is so adjusted that it reaches the upper edge 12 of outlet means 3 when the liquid of the bath is at rest. During operation of the apparatus the level of the bath liquid will rise in the direction towards outlet means 3 due to its flow and also because liquid is carried' along by the fibers which move at relatively great speed in the direction of the flow of the liquid. It is essential, that rotatable roller 9 is arranged sufficiently high so as not to cause turbulence or eddy formation in the bath liquid. For the same reason, the only fiber guide means which is located below the upper level of the bath liquid, namely rod 10, is preferably stationary, since rotation of rod 10 might again tend to. cause turbulence or eddy formation in the flowing liquid.

The fibers leave the treating 4bath pass between squeezing rollers 13 and' 14, located within or above the trough of outlet means 3 so that excess liquid squeezed off the fibers will be caught in outlet means 3. The thus treated fibers may then be passed on to vfurther processing such as drying or other further treatment.

It is essential that the -bers move in a straight line at least from guide rod 10 to rollers 13 and 14, without being impaired by any obstacles. Rollers 13 and 14 must be so arranged as not to interfere with the flow of liquid over edge-12 into the outlet means 3.

In the above described manner, it is achieved that the treating liquid flows steadily and without eddy formation with increasing speed from inlet means 1 toward outlet means 3, and that due to the projecting portions of the grooves in the inner face of bottom 2, a vibrating movement of the liquid is caused, extending substantially exclusively in vertical direction, i.e. in a direction per-- pendicular to the horizontal movement of the fibers.

Thus, according to the present invention the effect of' the treating liquid on the fibers or the like is considerably increased by having grooves formed in the inner face of the bottom of the treating vessel, which grooves extend in a direction perpendicular to the parallel fibers or the like. Best results are achieved when the grooved inner face of the bottom of the treating vessel is up wardly inclined under an acute angle against the horizontal, in the direction from the portion of the apparatus at which liquid and fibers are introduced towardsy the portion of the apparatus at which liquid and fibers. leave the same. The height and width of the individual parallel grooves is preferably reduced in the same Ydirection, so that the highest and Widest grooves are to be found in the vicinity of the inlet means and the lowest and narrowest in the vicinity of the outlet means. De pending on the angle of inclination of the inner face of the bottom of the treating vessel, the quantity of treating liquid which is used and the speed of movement of the fibers, the grooved portion of the inner face of bottom 2 may extend up to edge 12 of outlet means 3, or the last groove may be located spaced from edge 12 so that the inner face of bottom 2 in the immediate vicinity of edge 12 has a smooth plane configuration.

While according to the preferred embodiment illustrated and described herein, the projections in the inner face of bottom 2 consist of a plurality of parallel transverse grooves, it is also Within the scope of the present invention to form the inner face of bottom 2 with projections of other configurations such as pyramid-shaped projections or indentations, spherical projections or indentations, or so as to be of waffle-iron shape, etc.

According to the present invention, due to the projections or indentations in the inner face of the bottom of the treating-vessel, the flowing treating liquid is subjected to a fast vertical vibrating movement of low arnplitude. Thereby, the washing of treating effect of the Vliquid on the fibers is considerably increased and, consequently, the required length of treatment reduced without causing any lateral movement of the fibers which might bring adjacent fibers in contact with each other.

In order to achieve the desired effect of the present invention, it is necessary to avoid any structure which might obstruct the free flow of the treating liquid between the inlet means and edge v12 of the outlet means. For this reason, the movable parts of the guide means for passing goods to be treated through the bath, such as rollers 9, 13 and 14 must be located spaced from the liquid owing from inlet means l to edge 12 of outlet means 3. The only portion of the guide means which is located within the liquid bath, is stationary guiding rod which is to be so dimensioned as not to create any appreciable turbulence. Furthermore, turbulence in the flowing treatment liquid which may be caused by the introduction of the same into the apparatus, must also be prevented as far as possible. This is achieved by providing means for the even distribution of liquid as part of the inlet means. The illustrated and described arrangement of perforated plates or sieves 5 has been found most effective for this purpose.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also nd a useful application in other types of apparatus for the wet treatment of elongated goods differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an apparatus for the wet treatment of freshly spun synthetic bers, yarns and the like, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structurel changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. Apparatus lfor the treatment of goods such as freshly spun synthetic bers, comprising, in combination, an elongated vessel adapted to contain a relatively shallow bath of treating liquid, said vessel having a transversally corrugated inner bottom Aface comprised of closely spaced parallel ridges, and valleys between adjacent ridges formed by the upwardly and downwardly sloping faces of said ridges; inlet means for admitting treating liquid into said vessel; `outlet means for the treating liquid spaced yfrom said inlet means permitting the liquid to flow in said bath in a predetermined substantially horizontal direction transversal to said ridges, said inner bottom face of said vessel extending upwardly at an acute angle against the horizontal in the direction from said inlet means towards said outlet means said inlet and outlet means arranged so as to maintain the surface of said bath at a predetermined level being above said ridges of said bottom face, so that the height of said bath will decrease in the direction from said inlet towards said outlet means due to the upward extension of said bottom face thereby increasing the `speed of flow of said liquid in the direction of flow thereof and so that the liquid while owing through said vessel will be forced by said projections to vibrate in substantially vertical direction normal to said predetermined substantially horizontal direction of the liquid flowing in said bath; and means for passing a plurality `of endless goods to be treated parallel to and spaced from each other through said bath in said predetermined substantially horizontal direction concurrently with the flowing liquid, whereby eddy formation in said bath is substantially prevented and said goods are subjected during such passage to the substantially vertical vibrating movement of said treating liquid flowing at an increasing speed without being subjected to lateral movement capable of causing contact between adjacent ones of said parallel goods.

2. Apparatus for the treatment of goods such as freshly spun synthetic fibers, comprising, in combination, ari elongated vessel adapted to contain a relatively shallow bath of treating liquid, said vessel having a transversally corrugated inner bottom face comprised of closely spaced parallel ridges, and Valleys between adjacent ridges formed by the upwardly and downwardly sloping faces of said ridges; inlet means for admitting .treating liquid into said vessel; outlet means for the treating liquid spaced from said inlet means permitting the liquid to flow in said bath in a predetermined substantially horizontal direction transversal to said ridges, said inner bottom face of said vessel extending upwardly at an acute angle against the horizontal in the direction from said inlet means towards said outlet means, said inlet and outlet means arranged so as to maintain the surface of said bath at a predetermined -level being above said ridges of said bottom face, so that the height of said bath will decrease in the direction from said inlet towards said outlet means due to the upward extension of said bottom face thereby increasing the speed of dow of said liquid in the direction of flow thereof and the width and depth of the corrugations of said bottom face progressively decreasing in the direction from said inlet means toward said outlet means so that the liquid while flowing through said vessel will be lforced by said projections to vibrate in substantially vertical direction normal to said predetermined substantially horizontal direction of the liquid flowing in said bath; and means for passing a plurality of endless goods to be treated parallel to and spaced from each other through said bath in said predetermined substantially horizontal direction concurrently with the flowing liquid, whereby eddy formation in said bath is substantially prevented and said goods are subjected during such passage to the substantially vertical vibrating movement of said treating liquid without being subjected to lateral movement capable of causing contact between adjacent ones of said parallel goods.

3. Apparatus for the treatment of goods such as freshly spun synthetic` fibers, comprising, in combination, an elongated vessel adapted to contain a relatively shallow bath of treating liquid, said vessel having a transversally corrugated inner bottom face comprised of closely spaced parallel ridges, and valleys between adjacent ridges yformed by the upwardly and downwardly sloping faces of said ridges; inlet means for admitting treating liquid into said vessel; outlet means for the treating liquid spaced from said inlet means permitting the liquid to ow in said bath in a predetermined substantially horizontal direction transversal to said ridges, said inner bottom face of said vessel extending upwardly at an acute angle against the horizontal in the direction from said inlet means towards said outlet means, said inlet and outlet means arranged so as t'o maintain the surface of said bath at a predetermined level being above said ridges of said bottom face, so that the height of said bath will decrease in the direction from said inlet towards said outlet means due to the upward extension of said bottom face thereby increasing the speed of ow of said liquid in the direction of flow thereof and the width and depth of the corrugations of said bottom face progressively decreasing in the direction 'from said inlet means toward said outlet means so that the liquid while flowing through said vessel will be forced by said projections to vibrate in substantially vertical direction normal to said predetermined substantially horizontal direction of the liquid owing in said bath; and means for passing a plurality of endless goods to be treated parallel to and spaced from each other through said bath in said predetermined substantially horizontal Idirection concurrently with the flowing liquid, said means including rotatable guide -roller means located above the upper level of said bath of treating liquid, and also including stationary guide means located at least partially below the upper level of said bath of treating liquid, whereby eddy formation in said bath is substantially prevented and said goods are subjected during such passage to the -subst-antially vertical vibrating movement of said treating liquid without being subjected to llate-ral movement capable of causing contact between adjacent ones of said parallel goods.

4. Apparatus for the treatment of goods such as freshly spun synthetic fibers, comprising, in combination, an elongated vessel adapted to contain a` relatively shallow bath of treating liquid, said vessel having a transversally corrugated inner bottom face comprised of closely spaced parallel ridges, and valleys -between adjacent ridges formed -by the upwardly and downwardly sloping faces of said ridges; inlet means for admitting treating liquid into said vessel; outlet means for the treating liquid spaced `from said inlet means permitting the liquid to ow in said bath in a predetermined substantially horizontal direction transversal to said ridges, said inner bottom face of said Vvessel extending upwardly at an acute angle against the horizontal in the direction from said inlet means towards said outlet means, said inlet and outlet means arranged so as to maintain the sur-face of said bath at a predetermined level being above said ridges of said bottom face, so that the height of said bath will decrease in the direction from said inlet towards said outlet means due 'to the upward extension of said bottom -face thereby increasing the speed of ow of said liquid in the direction of ilow thereof and the width and depth of the corrugations of said bottom face progressively decreasing in the direction 4from said inlet means 4toward said outlet means so that the liquid while owing through said vessel will be forced by said projections to vibrate in substanytially vertical direction normal to said predetermined substantially horizontal direction of the liquid owing in said bath; and means for passing a plurality of endless goods to tbe treated parallel to and spaced from each other through said bath in said predetermined substantially horizontal direction concurrently with the flowing liquid, said means including two rotatable guide roller means located, respectively, in the vicinity of said inlet and outlet means and above the upper level of said bath of .treating liquid, and also including stationary guide means located at least partially below the upper level of said bath of treating liquid, whereby eddy formation in said bath is substantially prevented and said goods are subjected during such passage to the substantially vertical vibrating movement of said treating liquid without being subjected to lat-eral movement capable of causing contact between adjacent ones of said parallel goods.

5. Apparatus for the treatment of goods such as freshly spun synthetic iibers, comprising, in combination, an elongated vessel adapted to contain'a relatively shallow bath of treating liquid, said vessel having an inner bottom face; inlet means for admitting treating liquid into said Vessel; outlet means for the treating liquid spaced from said inlet means permitting the liquid to iiow in said bath in a predetermined substantially horizontal direction, said inner bottom face of said vessel extending upwardly at an acute angle against the horizontal in the direction from said inlet means towards said outlet means, said vessel and said inlet and outlet means constructed and arranged so as to maintain the surface of said biath at a predetermined honizontal level being above said inner bottom face and extending over the entire bottom face so that the depth of said liquid decreases over said entire bottom face in direction from said inlet to said outlet means causing the speed of flow of said liquid to increase while flowing in said direction; a

'plurality of projecting portions on said inner bottom face of said vessel having faces extending at least partly in a direction transversal to said predetermined substantially horizontal direction, sai-d plurality of projecting portions having such a height as to be located a relatively small distance below said predetermined level of said bath so that the liquid while flowing through said vessel will be forced by said projections to vibrate in substantially vertical direction normal to said predetermined substantially horizontal direction of the liquid flowing in said bath; and means for passing a plurality of goods to be treated parallel to and spaced from each other through said bath in said predetermined substantially horizontal direction concurrently with the owing liquid, whereby said goods are subjected during such passage to the substantially vertical vibrating movement by liquid owing at an increasing speed capable of causing contact between adjacent ones of said parallel goods.

6. Apparatus for the treatment of goods such as freshly spun synthetic fibers, comprising, in combination, an elongated vessel adapted to contain a relatively shallow bath of treating liquid, said vessel having an inner bottom face; inlet means for admitting treating liquid into said vessel; outlet means for the treating liquid spaced from said inlet means permitting the liquid to low in said bath in a predetermined substantially horizontal direction, said inner bottom face of said vessel extending upwardly at an acuate angle against the horizontal in the direction from said inlet means towards said outlet means, said inlet and outlet means arranged so as to maintain the surface of said bath at a predetermined level; a plurality of groove-shaped substantially parallel portions on said inner bottom face of said vessel extending in a direction substantially norm-al to said predetermined substantially horizontal direction, having faces extending at least partly in a direction transversal to said predetermined substantially horizontal direction, the width and depth of successive groove-shaped portions progressively decreasing in the direction from said inlet means toward said outlet means and said successive groove-shaped portions being located a relatively small distance under said predetermined level of said bath so that the liquid while owing through said vessel will be forced by said projections to vibrate in substantially vertical direction normal to said predetermined substantially horizontal direction of the liquid owing in said bath; and means for passing a plurality of goods to be treated parallel to and spaced from each other through said bath in said predetermined substantially horizontal direction concurrently with the flo-wing liquid, whereby eddy formation in said bath is substantially prevented and said goods are subjected during such passage to the substantially vertical vibrating movement of said treating liquid without being subjected to laterial movement capable of causing contact between adjacent ones of said parallel goods.

7. Apparatus for the treatment of goods such as freshly spun synthetic bers, comprising, in combination, an elongated vessel adapted to contain a relatively shallow bath of treating liquid, said vessel having an inner bottom face; inlet means for admitting treating liquid into said vessel; outlet means for the treating liquid spaced from said inlet means permitting the liquid to iiow in said bath in a predetermined substantially horizontal direction, said inlet 'and outlet means arranged so -as to maintain the surface of said bath at a predetermined level being above said inner bottom face; a plurality of groove-shaped substantially parallel portions on said inner bottom face of said vessel extending in a direction substantially normal to said predetermined substantially horizontal direction, having faces extending at least partly in a direction transversal to said predetermined substantially horizontal direction, the width and depth of successive groove-shaped portions progressively decreasing in the direction from said inlet means towards said outlet means and said successive groove-shaped portions being located a relatively small distance under said predetermined level of said bath so that the liquid while owing through said vessel will be forced by said projections to vibrate in substantially vertical direction normal to said predetermined substantially horizontal direction of the liquid owing in said bath; and means for passing a plurality of goods to be treated parallel to and spaced from each other through said bath in said predetermined substantially horizontal direction concurrently with the flowing liquid, whereby eddy formation in said bath is substantially prevented 'and said goods are subjected during such passage to the substantially vertical vibrating movement of said treating liquid without being subjected to lateral movement capable of causing contact between adjacent ones of said parallel goods.

8. Apparatus for the treatment of goods such as freshly spun synthetic fibers, according to claim 7, wherein said means for passing a plurality of goods through said bath include rotatable gu-ide roller means located above said predetermined level of said bath of treating liquid, and also including stationary guide means located partly below said predetermined level of said bath of treating liquid, whereby eddy formation in said bath is substantially prevented and said goods lare subjected during such passage `to the substantially vertical vibrating movement of said treating liquid without being subjected to lateral movement capable of causing Contact between adjacent ones of said parallel goods.

9. Apparatus for the treatment of goods such as freshly spun synthetic fibers, -according to `claim 7, wherein said means for passing a plurality of goods through said bath include two rotatable guide rollers located, respectively, in the vicinity of said inlet and outlet means and above said predetermined level of said bath of treating liquid, yand also including stationary guide means located at least partially below said predetermined level of said bath of treating liquid, whereby said goods are subjected dur-ing such passage to the substantially vertical vibrating movement of said treating liquid without being subjected to lateral movement capable of causing Contact between adjacent ones of said parallel goods.

l0. Apparatus for the treatment of goods, comprising, in combination, a vessel adapted to contain a relatively shallow bath of treating liquid, said vessel having an inner bottom face; inlet means for admitting treating liquid into said vessel; outlet means for tthe treating liquid spaced from said inlet means permitting the liquid to flow in said bath along a predetermined path in a substantially horizontal direction, said inlet and outlet means defining in said vessel a normal liquid level; a plurality of adjacent ridges on said bottom face located entirely under said normal liquid level spaced therefrom and extending only upwardly in a direction transversal to said predetermined path and forming valleys between the upwardly and downwardly sloping faces of adjacent ridges, said vessel being free of any ridges located above said normal liquid level and so that the treating liquid while flowing along said predetermined path will be forced by said upwardly extending ridges to simultaneously vibrate freely in longitudinal direction and upwardly in substantially vertical direction above said normal liquid level and transverse to said substantially horizontal direction of said predetermined path; and means for passing a plurality of spaced endless goods to be treated through said bath in said predetermined substantially horizontal direction, whereby said goods are subjected during such passage to the substantially vertical vibrating movement of said treating liquid without being subjected to lateral movement capable of causing contact between adjacent ones of said plurality of goods.

1l. Apparatus for the treatment of goods such as fibers, yarns and the like, comprising, in combination, a vessel adapted to contain a relatively shallow -bath of treating liquid, said vessel having an inner bottom face; inlet means for admitting treating liquid into said vessel; outlet means for the treating liquid spaced from said inlet means permitting the liquid to flow in said bath along a predetermined path in a substantially horizontal direction, said inlet and outlet means defining in said vessel a normal liquid level, a plurality of adjacent ridges on said bottom face located entirely under said normal liquid level spaced therefrom and extending only upwardly in a direction transversal to said predetermined path and forming valleys between the upwardly and downwardly sloping faces of adjacent ridges, said vessel being free of any ridges located above said normal liquid level and so that the treating liquid while flowing along said predetermined path will be forced by said upwardly extending ridges to simultaneously vibrate freely in longitudinal direction and upwardly in substantially vertical direction above said normal liquid level and transverse to said substantially horizontal direction of said predetermined path; and means for passing a plurality of spaced endless goods to be treated through said bath in said predetermined substantially horizontal direction concurrently with the flowing liquid, whereby said goods are subjected during such passage to the substantially vertical vibrating movement of said treating liquid without being subjected to lateral movement capable of causing contact between adjacent ones of said plurality of goods.

l2. Apparatus for the treatment of goods such as freshly spun fibers, comprising, in combination, a vessel adapted to contain a relatively shallow bath of treating liquid, said vessel having an inner bottom face; inlet means for admitting treating liquid into said vessel; outlet means for the treating liquid spaced from said inlet means permitting the liquid to flow in said bath along a predetermined path in a substantially horizontal direction, said inlet and outlet means defining in said vessel a normal liquid level, a plurality of adjacent ridges on said bottom face located entirely under said normal liquid level spaced therefrom and extending only upwardly in a direction transversal to said predetermined path and forming valleys between the upwardly and downwardly sloping faces of adjacent ridges,

said vessel being free of any ridges located above said normal liquid level and so that the treating liquid while flowing through said vessel along said predetermined path will be forced by said upwardly extending ridges to simultaneously vibrate freely in longitudinal direction and upwardly in substantially vertical direction above said normal liquid level and transverse to said substantially horizontal directio-n of said predetermined path; and means for passing a plurality of spaced endless goods to be treated parallel to each other through said bath in said predetermined substantially horizontal direction concurrently with the flowing liquid, whereby said goods are subjected during such passage to the substantially vertical vibrating movement of said treating liquid without being subjected to lateral movement capable of causing contact between adjacent ones of said plurality of goods.

13. Apparatus for the treatment of goods such as freshly spun bers, comprising, in combination, a vessel adapted to contain a relatively shallow bath of treating liquid, said vessel having an inner bottom face; inlet means for admitting treating liquid into said vessel; outlet means for the treating liquid spaced from said inlet means permitting the liquid to ow in said bath along a predetermined path in a substantially horizontal direction, said inlet and outlet means defining in said vessel a normal liquid level; a plurality of adjacent ridges on said bottom face located entirely under said normal liquid level spaced therefrom and eX- tending only upwardly in a direction transversal to said predetermined path and forming valleys between the upwardly and downwardly sloping faces of adjacent ridges, said vessel being free of any ridges located above said normal liquid level and so that the treating liquid while owing through said vessel along said predetermined path will be forced by said upwardly extending ridges to simultaneously vibrate freely in longitudinal direction and upwardly in substantially vertical direction above said normal liquid level and transverse to said substantially horizontal direction of said predetermined path; and means for passing a plurality of spaced endless goods to be treated parallel to each other through said bath in said predetermined substantially horizontal direction, whereby said goods are subjected during such passage to the substantially vertical VVibracing movement of said treating liquid Without being subjected to lateral movement capable of causing contact between adjacent ones of said plurality of goods.

References Cied in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 608,194 Greenwood Aug. 2, 1898 2,306,144 Tegetmeyer Dec. 22, 1942 2,325,545 Redman July 27, 1943 2,516,268 Spalding July 25, 1950 2,539,980 Van Hall et `al Ian. 30, 1951 12 Cresswell July 3, 1951 Belcher June 9, 1953 Schrenk Apr. 6, 1954 Keggin Oct. 11, 1955 Nash OctA 25, 1955 Blomberg Dec. 27, 1955 Fornelli Jan. 29, 1957 Mesek Aug. 20, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Apr. 3, 1958 

